Steam-heating apparatus.



J. A. DONNELLY.

I STEAM HEATING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 11 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES: INI/ENIO/ih 1 W ATTORNEY.

J. A. DONNELLY.

STEAM HEATING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 11, 1904. 1,047,622, A Patented Dec. 17,1912.

'7 2 8HEETS-SHEET 2.

LLA: "(Q1 B 77 )9 ct Q k 7/ l .D H I D H I WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

ATTORNEY.

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. nonnnLLyyor NEW Y0RK, 1v. Y.

STEAM-HEATING mums.

Be it known that I, JAMEs A. DoNNEL'Lr, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at New,,York cit in the county of Kings andState ofNew ed certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Heating Apparatus,of which the following is a specification, i

My invention relatesto certain novel and .useful improvements: in"circulatingsystems,

' and has particular application to a heating system.

In the present application, by way of illustration, I show and describemy invention'employed in connection with a steam, radiator systemtowhich it has been found by experience to be very adaptable.

In carrying out my invention 1t 1s my purpose to provide a systemembodying the esired features of economy of operation and.

regularity of action.

' The invention consists in'the improves: ments set forth in andfallingwithin' the construction, I have found that for many scope of theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein one form of my invention isdelineated, Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of a steam heatingapparatus embodying my invention Fig. 2 is a similar view; showing thesystem as extending throughout va -number of detached buildings; Fig. 3is an elevation partly in'seetion, illustrating the construction of thecontrollingvalve, used ing the present instance.

Similar letters and .numerals ofli'eferei l fi, parts throughoutdesignate corresponding the several views of the drawing Referring nowto the accompanying drawings in detail, and particularly 'to'Fig. 1

thereof, wherein I have shown myinventio1i applied to the vacuumsystem," the letter-B designates a steam generator, the steam.

main Z) of which is connected with an engine E of a usual type. Theexhaust from the engine is connected by a pipe a with the steam supplypipe or feeder Ssupplying the branch pipes s. -A suitable reducing valve0 is inserted into the steam main through which live steam mav be causedto enter the steam pipe when desired.

P is a vacuum pump or other exhausting apparatus which is in the presentinstance shown as attached to the main return R to which the severalbranch returns 7' from the several series of radiators or. rad ating devices II are connected.

ork, have inventtowh ich the pipes forming1 the mg in vertical line,

Specification of Letters Patent. Pa,tented Dec, 17, 1912, Applicationfiled-Tune -11, 1904. Serial No. 212,192.

. D are res'trictingmeans, such as the ordinary automatic? branchvalves, and are placed at the outlet ends ofthe radiators H,

rectly with the outlet ends of the radiators H through the branchreturns 1' for the purpose of permitting the outflow of fluids from theradiator, I provide a novel form of construction describedin detailhereafter. One

of the essentials of this construction is a controlling means, in thepresent instance, a I valveLV.

v i In the drawings I show this valve estahlis for positioned in thebranch return saidjyalve having an inletand outlet 7 return arecoupled.-' *While the contro element or valve ay be of any desired andsuitable purposes a valve of the nature shown in the drawings issatisfactory. This valve is of the type commonly lmown' as a diaphragmvalve and comprises the valve casing 1 havingthe inlet 2 and the outlet3. At the top of the casing is formed which cuts, ofi a portion ofthechamber 5 forming a chamber 6 {communicating with the outlet 3, whilethejchamberb communicates with the inlet 2. In the partiton 4 are formedtwo thoroughfares 8 and 9 arranged b and controlled respectively I acommon valve rod 12. The lower end" of the valve rod 12pas ses through acap 13 closing the bottom of the casing and 'is connected with .a lever14: having :thereon an adjustable weight 15. To the valve rod 12 isattached a diaphragm 1,6 which is secured to the casing by the cap 13,and the chamber 18 so formed is connected with the branch steam supply'pipe 8 by means of a small branch pipe 19 controlled by a suitablevalve 20. This chamber forms the high-pressure chamber of the valve.The'chamberb will fill with water of condensation which passes off tothe pump or-other point of discharge through the return.

I-Iavingdescribed the mechanical construction of the valve I will nowdetail the means by which it is operated and certain functions it isdesigned to perform. It is a U-shaped partition;

the valvepieces 10' and 11 mounted upon.

operated as follows: Assuming fluid to be flowing, through the main Sata relatively high pressure, such fluid passing through the branch 19.into the chamber 18 below the diaphragm normally tends to close thevalve and were no counterforce employed the valve would be held closed.But when the circulation of the fluid brings it back through the return1' to the valve V, it flows into the menting the initial valve openingforce maybe adopted. Thus it will be seen that the pressure from thereturn plus the action of the weight serves to balance the pressure fromthe high pressure or supply main sufficiently' to unseat the valve andestablish the same in position to maintain a constant difference inpressure between the branch supply and return pipes of the individualradiators or other branch systems. In connection with this and analogoussystems a'controlling agent such, for instance, as this valve, installedsubstantially as above recited, is capable of performing a number ofimportant functions, among which it might be mentioned that it controlsthe fiow of fluid froma plurality or series of heating agents, such asradiators, which communicate with a common return pipe or main, in whichcom mon return the controller is situated. For instance, each radiatorbeing in independent communication with the return branch,' there flowsfrom such radiator to the branch-a fluid matter which may comprise.steam, water or air, or a mixture of all or any of these. And the airand water flowing from all the radiators may be controlled and 'removedby this common controlling element.-

For example, fluids flowing through the automatic restriction valves atthe outlet of the radiators passes into the common return branch andthence into the controlling valve. Pressure. being thus raised in thereturn branch the fluids escape through the now open controlling valveto the main return or other 1 suitable point of discharge. Thus fluidsflowing from a series or plurality of radiators through the automaticrestricting valve thereof are automatically controlled by a. commoncontrolling element. F urthermore, I have found. that in consequence ofthe wide Variation "of pressure in different parts of main pipes,according to thedistance of such parts from the source of supply andexhaust, a uniform and outward flow through the separate radiators orbranch systems is diflicult of attainment without some expedient topreserve a proper difference of pressure between the inlet and outletand individual radiators or control systems, regardless of changes ofpressure in the main supply and return. Therefore, I employ as anexpedient the described valve, or similar element, in the return of thebranch systems or radiators, said valve so controlled by the differenceof pressure existing between the inlet and outlet of the radiators orcontrol systems as to react on said difference of pressure and to keepit constant.

It will be readily understood that as the pressure in the chamber 5varies, which pressure'corresponds to 'thepressure in the radiatorreturn 1, the change of pressureon the diaphragm 16 will either increaseor decrease the openings at the valves 10 and 11, thus permitting moreon less escape of fluid fromsaid return branch. 1 When the pressurefalls in the return, that is, in the chamber 15, the decreased area ofopening at the thoroughfares 8 and 9 serves to check the passage offluid between the radiator II and the differential valve V, so that thepressure at this point is increased and thus maintains constant thepredetermined difference of pressure between the branchsupply and thepart of the branch return included between the radiator and thedifferential ,valve.

When the pressure in the radiator return, that is, in the chamber'5,rises, the pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm 16 forces thesame downwardly and increases the openings at the thoroughfares 8 and 9.This causes an increased flow in the return, and thefluid is rapidlydischarged, thus tending to diminish the pressure in the return and somaintaining difference of pressure. The degree of difference of pressureto be maintained is determined by the position of the weight 15 on thelever 14L and may be varied as conditions require.

'In the upper part of Fig. 1, I have shown the branch return 1 providedwith a by-pass p containing a meter M and a steam trap T.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the system extended through several detachedbuildings, S, being steam supply, B, R, the main returns, H theradiating devices, 8,, r the branch supply and return pipesrespectively, Vthe controlling valves; B the boiler, E the engine, P, avacuum pum P It is of course to be understood that I do not wish torestrict myself,to any particular arrangement of the system or theconstruction of its parts'or to the sourcelof steam supply, or whetherit be .a high or a low pressure, as it is evident that changescan bemade without departing from the spirit of my invention. When the ressureof the source of steam supply is su stantially constant, it will beunderstood that the valve 20 in the'pipe connection between the steampipe s and the valve V may be closed to cut off the lower pressurechamber of said valve V from the steam pipe 5, under which conditionsthe difference of pressure will be kept constant. It will be understoodthat the valve 20 is open when it is desired to employ the valve V inmaintaining the difierence of pressure constant when the pressure ofsteam in the pipe .9 is not constant. In practice, I place in the branchsupply pipe 8 the gage G and in the branch returns the gage G and G.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a heatingsystem, the combination of a supply pipe, a return pipe, a plurality ofheat-distributing systems each in independent communication with saidsupply and return pipes, and means to control thecirculation throughsaid heat-distributing systems controlled by the relative pressuresinthe inlets and outlets thereof.

2. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a return pipe,a plurality of heat-distributing systems each .in independentcommunication with said supply and return pipes, and means forestablishing and maintaining apredetermined difference in pressurebetween the inlet and outlet of any of said heat-distributing systems.

3. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a return pipe,a plurality of heat-distributing systems each in independentcommunication with said suppl and return pipes, a valve in the return ti'om any heat distributing system to the return pipe, and means forcontrolling said valve by the differential pressures in the inlet andoutlet to said heat-distributing system.

4. In a steam heating system,,the com-- bination with the main supplypipe and the main return, of a seriesof radiating sections or systems,branch supply and return pipes connecting said radiating sections orsysterms with the supply and return mains, a controlling valve in thebranch return pipe of each of said radiating sections or systems,

and apressure motor device controlling said valve and controlled by thedifferential pressures in the branch supply pipes and in the branchreturns between said valve and the radiating section or system. i

5. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a returnpipe,.a plurality of heat-distributing systems each in inde pendentcommunication with said supply and return pipes and each containing oneor more radiating devices, 'means at the outlets of said radiatingdevices to restrict the flow, and meansto control the circulationthrough said heat-distributing systems controlled by the relativepressure in the inlets and outlets thereof.

6. In a heating system, the combination lets thereof.

7. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a return pipe,a plurality of heat-distributing systems each in independentcommunication with said supply and return pipes and each containing oneor more radiating devices, means at the outlets of said radiatingdevices to restrict the flow, and means for establishing and maintaininga predetermined diflerence in pressure between the inlet and outlet ofany of said heat-distributing systems.

.8. In a-heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a returnpipe, a plurality of heat-distributing systems each in independentcommunication with said supply and return pipes and each containing oneor more radiating devices, automatic valves at the outlets of saidradiating devices, and means for establishi'ngrnd maintaining apredetermined di'fi'erenc e in pressure between.

the inlet and outlet of any of said heatdistributing systems.

9. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a return pipe,a plurality of heatdistributing systems each in 1ndependentcommunication wit-h said supply and return pipes and each containing oneor more radiating devices, means at the outlets of said radiatingdevices to restrict the flow, a valve in the return from anyheat-distributing system to the return pipe,

and meansfor controlling said valve by the difl'erentialpressures in theinlet and outlet to said heat-distributing system.

10. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a returnpipe, a plurality of heat-distributing systems each in independentcommunication with said supply and return pipes and each containing oneor more radiating devices, automatic valves at theoutlets of saidradiating devices, a valve in the return from any heat-distributingsystem to the return pipe, and means for controlling said valve by thediiferential pressures in the inlet and. outlet t said"heat-distributingsystem 11. In a steam heating system, the combination with the mainsupply pipe, and the main return, of a series ,f radiating sections orsystems comprising one or more radiating devices, means at the, outletsof said radiating devices to restrict the flow, branch supply and returnpipes connecting said radiating sections or systems with the supply .andreturn mains, a controlling valve in the branch return pipe of each ofsaid radiating sections or systems, and a pressure motor devicecontrolling said valve and controlled by the differential pressures inthe branch supply pipes and in the branch returns between said valve andthe radiating section or system.

12. In a steam heating system, the combination with the main-supplypipe, and the main return, of a. series of radiating sections or systemscomprising one or more radiating devices, automatic valves at theoutlets of said radiating devices, branch supply and return pipesconnecting said radiating sections or systems with the sup- .ply andreturn mains, a controlling, valve in the-branch return pipe of each ofsaid radiating sections or systems, and a pressure motor devicecontrolling said valve, and

controlled by the differential pressures in the branch supply pipe andin the branch return between the said valve fild the radiating sectionsor systems.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my handin the presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

JAMES A. DONNELLY. Witnesses:

A. FABER DU FAUR, Jr, RAENA H. YUDIZKY.

